The role of literacy and language in the intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge: insights from ethnographic research in Nepal

ABSTRACT

There is a long tradition of intergenerational transfer of knowledge in Nepali communities. While local languages are seen as crucial means for preserving, transmitting and applying traditional knowledge, ongoing social change has raised concern that local languages and knowledge as foundations of learning and cultural identity are being weakened. This paper, based on ethnographic fieldwork in Brahmin-Kshatriya and Chamling Rai communities in the western and eastern hill districts of Nepal, contributes insights on indigenous intergenerational learning by exploring the literacy, language and learning strategies of eight local families. To ease the accessibility of traditional knowledge to the younger generations, they opt for creative and innovative ways of using bilingual approaches, different scripts and translanguaging. The article discusses how the identified indigenous intergenerational practices can contribute to better address the learning needs of local communities. Building on such local practices supports an alternative approach to literacy and language in intergenerational learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational learning
• indigenous knowledge
• literacy
• language

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participating families in the two communities as well as the editors of this Special Issue, Prof. Anna Robinson-Pant, Prof. Sushan Acharya and Dr. Ahmmardouh Mjaya, who provided insightful comments in the course of developing this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. For this reason the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. (https://en.unesco.org/idil2022–2032)

2. Translanguaging is a creative practice of language use that transcends the boundaries between named languages and language varieties. Multilingual language users often generate such a dynamic and fluid space of language use to sustain their communication and interaction (Wei 2018).

3. In recognition of the broad diversity of indigenous knowledge systems and ways of knowing (or learning) reflecting a range of perspectives, we can often see the use of the plural term of ‘indigenous knowledges’.

4. Brahmin and Kshatriya are higher caste groups in the classical Hindu caste hierarchical system. They are jointly known as Brahmin-Kshatriya because both groups own the same religious, social, cultural and ritual faiths and traditions. The successive legislations after 1950s ideally refute the caste discrimination practices, yet, caste hierarchy and untouchability still matter in mentality and identity of a large section of the Nepali citizens.

5. Devanagari is a left-to-right letter script based on the ancient Brāhmī script, used in the Indian subcontinent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devanagari).

6. Source: https://nepalmap.org/profiles/district-70-surkhet/

7. The Chamling language is one of the languages of the ancient Kiranti culture, which existed well before Vedic period (3500–5000) in South Asia, and is currently spoken by about 77,000 native speakers in Nepal (2011). The Mundhum – the main religious text forming the foundation of the Kirant Mundhum religion – is a guide to the distinctive religious practices and cultural identity of the Chamling Rai. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamling_language)

8. Srijanga, also called Limbu, Kiranti or Kirat script, is a Tibeto-Burman script that Rais, Limbu and other ethnic groups of the hill district use (see Gaenszle 2021).

9. Source: https://nepalmap.org/profiles/district-37-khotang/

10. Reading Sanskrit for religious purposes has been a common practice among literate Brahmins during many generations.

11. Kirat dharma is a common religious and ritual practice that the Rai including Chamling Rai follow.

12. Rai Indigenous peoples speak over 38 different languages and while each of these linguistic groups identify themselves as separate indigenous peoples, they identify themselves as ‘Kirat rai’, as a single indigenous group. Source: https://rights.culturalsurvival.org/international-year-indigenous-languages-rai-nepal

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded as part of the UEA Global Research Translation Award project ‘Meeting the SDGs: creating innovative infrastructures and policy solutions to support sustainable development in Global South communities.’